Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/05/2004

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numerous am0. unt of similar requests. Mayor Gamec stated that if the City is saying that the property is no! able to take the value of the improvements then why is it fair for them to pay higher propert~y tax. He would be agreeing that the 900 feet would not be added to the value of the property: Nlr. Touchette explained that one of the problems is that retail is based on three different factot, s which are comparable values, which would be very difficult in this case because sale on the quadrant will be very few, secondly rebuildable value which would be minimal, and thirdly incom~ stream value which will not be impacted by the addition. Councilmember Elvig disagreed sl[gl~tly because they will base income value on the size of the building. He did agree that it was no( fair to make a property owner pay higher property taxes if the property value is frozen. City Attorney Goodrich proposed language to be added to the .development agreement that would slta[e that in the event the State of Minnesota, City of Ramsey, or other entity acquires the property ~f(r the future improvement of the Highway #10 corridor the acquiring agent will not be responsiblel for the improved value. Councilmember Elvig stated that if he were the property owner he w0~,ld rather take his chances with someone not being able to appraise the property properly years! down the road rather than being tied to an ordinance that may or may not exist. Mr. Touchette [replied that he objects to being held to a different standard. Councilmember Elvig pointed out 'tl/at fight now Mr. Touchette was asking for special privileges. Mr. Touchette replied that th~ moratorium ordinance states that there are certain situations where an exception can be grante~t. He is simply trying to update the property, which is a benefit to the City. Councilmemb~r Elvig replied that the problem is that he came in during the two-month time where they ar¢~ in limbo. Mr. Touchette stated that he was one of the few people that did not speak up against the moratorium. He agrees that new expensive units should not be built along the corridor atlthis time, but property owners are faced with trying to figure out what to do with their properties until 2025. He personally is trying to improve his property by making improvements! that do not have an extended life span. Councilmember Strommen replied that if the improvements are minimal in value what is Mr. Touchette's objection to the language. Mr. Touchette replied that he does not understand how they would determine the value. Councilmemb~r Cook called for the vote. : Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, and coUncilmembers Cook, Kurak, and Pearson. Voting No: C~uncilmembers Elvig, Strommen, and Zimmerman. Case #6: i Request for Site Plan Approval; Case of Ronald Touchette Community 12~e. velopment Director Frolik stated that the City of Ramsey has received a request for site plan r~view from Ron Touchette.' The site plan is proposing to modify the existing off- sale liquor stole located at 7129 Highway #10 NW. The proposed modifications will facilitate the requireme.fits of the proposed new tenant, MGM Wine & Spirits. The proposal.includes a 912 square roOSt building addition for product coolers, and the addition of a separated entrance to the front do0r.~)f the liquor store. The exterior of the addition is proposed-to be a stucco finish to match the eXiSting building. The separated entrance will be glass. The existing awning is also proposed to :b{ removed and upgraded. It was noted that the site plan identifies the potential to remove existirtg curbing between the liquor store and the Holiday Station store to the west. This would be an ij'nprovement for traffic flow between the two businesses at this busy intersection. If an agreelgent is finalized between Mr. Touchette and the Holiday Station, the site improvementsl will be subject to the review and approval of the Engineering Department. City Council/December 9, 2003 Page 13 of 21 P61